The Way I Loved You ✓

33. The Way I Loved You

The Way I Loved You is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her second studio album, Fearless. About the song Taylor said, ‘I got this idea for a song about being in a relationship with a nice guy who is punctual and opens up the door for you and brings you flowers… but you feel nothing. The whole time you’re with him, you’re thinking about the guy who was complicated and messy and frustrating.’ [ Source: Wikipedia, Genius Lyrics]

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Fun fact: this book was initially not based on this song. This title was supposed to mislead you.

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Chapter Thirty Three: The Way I Loved You

I stood there, motionless, blinking, as the slam of the door rang through the house. Nathan stood where he was, near the stairs. I should leave too. I was of no help, anyway.

I looked around for my umbrella. Then I realized Leanna had walked off with it.

I looked out the windows. The rain was so heavy, I would be drenched in seconds. The walk from his house to mine wasn’t a short one.

I swallowed thickly, knowing Nathan was standing right there, a few feet away from me. I needed to leave, no matter the rain.

I grabbed my backpack. As I walked near the door, he followed me.

Was he planning to give me a ride again? I thought to myself. Suddenly, the blood rushed to my head, my vision red, and I looked up.

“Stop,” I said, “Whatever you are planning to do, just stop.”

Nathan paused in his step as he slowly looked at me.

I breathed in heavily. He looked worse than I had seen him a few days ago. His hair was messier, his eyes redder than they had been before. His dark circle made him look older, ragged, and weighed down. And worst of all, he was wearing a white shirt.

He looked at the ground as I tried to breathe. I felt like I couldn’t.

At that moment, my phone started ringing. I cursed and grabbed it out of my backpack, “Hello?”

It was an unknown number, and I wouldn’t normally have answered. But now, I’d rather do anything else than be here with Nathan alone.

“Hi, Emily, right?” A guy’s voice said on the other end.

The voice was familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, “Yes, who’s this?”

“I’m Landon,” he said cheerily, “I got your number from Leanna. I was calling about the debate we have coming up.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Not now, not here.

“Listen, Landon—”

“You haven’t been coming to the club lately, and here I am, running around trying to form a team,” Landon cut me off, “I really need you to jump in, Emily.”

“Landon, I’m not–” I tried to stop him before he could force me into another debating team.

“I know it’s been a while for you, and you’re not feeling up to it,” Landon said, “I totally understand that. So I was thinking how about we do some private debating lessons?”